Stars: Michael Fassbender, Kaimana, Rachel House, Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Will Arnett, Elisabeth Moss, Uli Latukefu, Chris Alosio, Lehi Makisi Falepapalangi, Rhys Darby | Written by Taika Waititi, Iain Morris | Directed by Taika Waititi
Released in 2014, Next Goal Wins was a phenomenal documentary from directors Mike Brett and Steve Jamison which followed the American Samoa football team as they attempted to persevere following a historic 31-0 loss to Australia. Much in the vein of Grey Gardens, Man On Wire, and Marwencol, the acclaimed documentary has been dramatised into a feature film, this time by Taika Waititi and The Inbetweeners co-creator Iain Morris.
Next Goal Wins focuses on Dutch American coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), whose only option to evade being fired is to coach the American Samoa team. As he arrives with a bad attitude and a drinking problem, it soon dawns on Thomas that he may be able...
Released in 2014, Next Goal Wins was a phenomenal documentary from directors Mike Brett and Steve Jamison which followed the American Samoa football team as they attempted to persevere following a historic 31-0 loss to Australia. Much in the vein of Grey Gardens, Man On Wire, and Marwencol, the acclaimed documentary has been dramatised into a feature film, this time by Taika Waititi and The Inbetweeners co-creator Iain Morris.
Next Goal Wins focuses on Dutch American coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), whose only option to evade being fired is to coach the American Samoa team. As he arrives with a bad attitude and a drinking problem, it soon dawns on Thomas that he may be able...
- 4/10/2024
- by James Rodrigues
- Nerdly
Clockwise from top left: Infinite Storm (Bleecker Street), Monica (IFC Films), The Abyss (20th Century Fox), Mercy Road (Well Go USA Entertainment)Image: The A.V. Club
For February, Hulu brings home a bunch of under-the-radar indie offerings as well as at least one big-budget movie that has proved elusive on streaming services.
For February, Hulu brings home a bunch of under-the-radar indie offerings as well as at least one big-budget movie that has proved elusive on streaming services.
- 2/2/2024
- by Robert DeSalvo
- avclub.com
Director Taika Waititi, who won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his film ‘Jojo Rabbit’, has revealed his favourite Indian film by auteur Satyajit Ray. He said that his favourite Indian film is ‘Pather Panchali’ and heaped praise on “Asia’s Best Crime Detective” from Ray’s films featuring the character of Feluda.
Praising Satyajit Ray’s work and talking about his favourite Indian films, he said: “Of course, the Satyajit Ray film ‘Pather Panchali’. It was beautiful and very inspirational when I was making my early films. Next is the fabulous ‘Asia’s Best Crime Detective’ which is a fantastic big film which I think everyone should watch.”
Taika Waititi is bridging his latest directorial ‘Next Goal Wins’ to India.
The film is a comedic soccer film, based on a documentary under the same name.
The film, which stars Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Kaimana, David Fane and Oscar Kightley,...
Praising Satyajit Ray’s work and talking about his favourite Indian films, he said: “Of course, the Satyajit Ray film ‘Pather Panchali’. It was beautiful and very inspirational when I was making my early films. Next is the fabulous ‘Asia’s Best Crime Detective’ which is a fantastic big film which I think everyone should watch.”
Taika Waititi is bridging his latest directorial ‘Next Goal Wins’ to India.
The film is a comedic soccer film, based on a documentary under the same name.
The film, which stars Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Kaimana, David Fane and Oscar Kightley,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Presenting a new look at the highly anticipated film Next Goal Wins which is all set to captivate audiences as it hits theatres across India on 2nd February 2024. Talking about the directorial, Academy Award-winning director Taika Waititi said, “It (Next Goal Wins) always felt very special to me. The ultimate feel-good underdog film.”
Starring an exciting ensemble cast of Michael Fassbender, Kaimana, Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Will Arnett and Elisabeth Moss in pivotal roles.
Next Goal Wins is based on a true story of the American Samoa soccer team, previously known for a historical defeat of 31-0 to the team of Australia in 2001. The film is set to follow the underdog team’s victory in 2014, led by legendary coach Thomas Rongen.
Next Goal Wins is directed by Taika Waititi, produced by Jonathan Cavend, Garrett Basch, Taika Waititi, Mike Brett, and Steve Jamison under the...
Starring an exciting ensemble cast of Michael Fassbender, Kaimana, Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Will Arnett and Elisabeth Moss in pivotal roles.
Next Goal Wins is based on a true story of the American Samoa soccer team, previously known for a historical defeat of 31-0 to the team of Australia in 2001. The film is set to follow the underdog team’s victory in 2014, led by legendary coach Thomas Rongen.
Next Goal Wins is directed by Taika Waititi, produced by Jonathan Cavend, Garrett Basch, Taika Waititi, Mike Brett, and Steve Jamison under the...
- 1/24/2024
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
Any other director would have probably made a typical “white savior” story out of the American Samoa football team’s incredible win against Tonga during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers back in 2011, but thanks to both his Indigenous roots and his directorial skill, Taika Waititi has managed to avoid that in Next Goal Wins. However, only someone like Waititi, who has a penchant for telling strange but very powerful “humane” stories, would choose a topic like this. The “white savior” here is football coach Thomas Rongen, who made it happen for the American Samoans. Michael Fassbender plays the part with the utmost earnestness, but Waititi makes sure that the film remains about the Samoan people, the culture, and their achievements. Next Goal Wins does have all the usual sports film clichés, but Taika has infused it with his signature style of humour. The result is not exactly promising like his earlier films,...
- 1/18/2024
- by Rohitavra Majumdar
- Film Fugitives
Hey, did you know that famed filmmaker Taika Waititi had a new movie in theaters last year? There's a good chance you didn't! Because Waititi's latest, the sports comedy "Next Goal Wins," had a very muted release following a series of scathing reviews. It's somewhat shocking to see Waititi flop so hard after seemingly being on top of the filmmaking world just a few years ago. Barry Levitt's /Film review "awarded" the flick a 2 out of 10, and stated that "'Next Goal Wins' feels like it's made by a director out of ideas — it's a film made up of lazy, visually vacant, and soulless filmmaking." Ouch.
In the film, which is based on a true story and a 2014 documentary of the same name, Michael Fassbender (who also appeared in last year's much better "The Killer") plays Dutch American football coach Thomas Rongen, who is sent to help the American Samoa...
In the film, which is based on a true story and a 2014 documentary of the same name, Michael Fassbender (who also appeared in last year's much better "The Killer") plays Dutch American football coach Thomas Rongen, who is sent to help the American Samoa...
- 1/15/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
To celebrate the release of Next Goal Wins, the latest comedy from Taika Waititi, we had the pleasure of sitting down with the cast and filmmaker to find out more about this festive football treat.
Based on the 2014 documentary of the same name, Next Goal Wins follows Dutch American football coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) who faces the option of being fired or accepting an almost impossible task: to convert the American Samoa national team, considered one of the weakest football teams in the world, into an elite squad.
Chatting to Fassbender, Kaimana (who played Jaiyah), Waititi and Jaiyah Saelua, the real-life American Samoa player and FIFA ambassador, we chat about the lure of the story, challenges of bringing the beautiful game to life on the big-screen, inspirations and aspirations, showcasing a different side to football and highlighting the tremendous work done to change the nature of it, football knowledge,...
Based on the 2014 documentary of the same name, Next Goal Wins follows Dutch American football coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) who faces the option of being fired or accepting an almost impossible task: to convert the American Samoa national team, considered one of the weakest football teams in the world, into an elite squad.
Chatting to Fassbender, Kaimana (who played Jaiyah), Waititi and Jaiyah Saelua, the real-life American Samoa player and FIFA ambassador, we chat about the lure of the story, challenges of bringing the beautiful game to life on the big-screen, inspirations and aspirations, showcasing a different side to football and highlighting the tremendous work done to change the nature of it, football knowledge,...
- 12/25/2023
- by Scott Davis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Waititi has made some strange casting decisions in his amiable comedy about the real-life travails of the American Samoa team and hothead coach Thomas Rongen
In 2001, the American Samoa football team achieved hideous immortality by sustaining a world-historically awful defeat, going down 31-0 to Australia. Ten years of hurt followed with no appreciable improvement, and then the team hired a foreign coach with his own issues: the troubled and hot-tempered Dutch-American Thomas Rongen whose unofficial brief was to salvage American Samoan honour with a single goal.
Mike Brett and Steve Jamison’s 2014 documentary about all this, Next Goal Wins, is a much-loved heartwarmer. Maybe it needed a fiction-feature comedy remake and maybe it didn’t. But director Taika Waititi and co-writer Iain Morris have done one anyway, and the result, though necessarily sacrificing the stranger-than-fiction value of the documentary, is broad, affectionate and often funny in a goofy way. But...
In 2001, the American Samoa football team achieved hideous immortality by sustaining a world-historically awful defeat, going down 31-0 to Australia. Ten years of hurt followed with no appreciable improvement, and then the team hired a foreign coach with his own issues: the troubled and hot-tempered Dutch-American Thomas Rongen whose unofficial brief was to salvage American Samoan honour with a single goal.
Mike Brett and Steve Jamison’s 2014 documentary about all this, Next Goal Wins, is a much-loved heartwarmer. Maybe it needed a fiction-feature comedy remake and maybe it didn’t. But director Taika Waititi and co-writer Iain Morris have done one anyway, and the result, though necessarily sacrificing the stranger-than-fiction value of the documentary, is broad, affectionate and often funny in a goofy way. But...
- 12/20/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Stars: Michael Fassbender, Kaimana, Rachel House, Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Will Arnett, Elisabeth Moss, Uli Latukefu, Chris Alosio, Lehi Makisi Falepapalangi, Rhys Darby | Written by Taika Waititi, Iain Morris | Directed by Taika Waititi
Released in 2014, Next Goal Wins was a phenomenal documentary from directors Mike Brett and Steve Jamison which followed the American Samoa football team as they attempted to persevere following a historic 31-0 loss to Australia. Much in the vein of Grey Gardens, Man On Wire, and Marwencol, the acclaimed documentary has been dramatised into a feature film, this time by Taika Waititi and The Inbetweeners co-creator Iain Morris.
Next Goal Wins focuses on Dutch American coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), whose only option to evade being fired is to coach the American Samoa team. As he arrives with a bad attitude and a drinking problem, it soon dawns on Thomas that he may be able...
Released in 2014, Next Goal Wins was a phenomenal documentary from directors Mike Brett and Steve Jamison which followed the American Samoa football team as they attempted to persevere following a historic 31-0 loss to Australia. Much in the vein of Grey Gardens, Man On Wire, and Marwencol, the acclaimed documentary has been dramatised into a feature film, this time by Taika Waititi and The Inbetweeners co-creator Iain Morris.
Next Goal Wins focuses on Dutch American coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), whose only option to evade being fired is to coach the American Samoa team. As he arrives with a bad attitude and a drinking problem, it soon dawns on Thomas that he may be able...
- 12/19/2023
- by James Rodrigues
- Nerdly
Next Goal Wins Movie Review Rating:
Star Cast: Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale , Will Arnett, Elisabeth Moss, Uli Latukefu, Chris Alosio, Lehi Makisi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo
Director: Taika Waititi
Next Goal Wins Movie Review Out ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
What’s Good: While the film falls short in various aspects, non-binary actor Kaimana’s portrayal of Jaiaya, a transgender center forward, stands out with compelling scenes and effective chemistry with Fassbender. The film’s rooting interest in the big finale, particularly for Jaiaya, adds some emotional engagement. Michael Fassbender shines briefly in the face of adversity, showcasing his acting prowess.
What’s Bad: The film is criticized for being poorly crafted and notably unfunny, attempting to narrate an intriguing story in an unengaging manner. The exaggerated cartoonish comedic elements clash with Fassbender’s stoic seriousness, diluting the film’s sincerity. The lack of individual development...
Star Cast: Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale , Will Arnett, Elisabeth Moss, Uli Latukefu, Chris Alosio, Lehi Makisi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo
Director: Taika Waititi
Next Goal Wins Movie Review Out ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
What’s Good: While the film falls short in various aspects, non-binary actor Kaimana’s portrayal of Jaiaya, a transgender center forward, stands out with compelling scenes and effective chemistry with Fassbender. The film’s rooting interest in the big finale, particularly for Jaiaya, adds some emotional engagement. Michael Fassbender shines briefly in the face of adversity, showcasing his acting prowess.
What’s Bad: The film is criticized for being poorly crafted and notably unfunny, attempting to narrate an intriguing story in an unengaging manner. The exaggerated cartoonish comedic elements clash with Fassbender’s stoic seriousness, diluting the film’s sincerity. The lack of individual development...
- 12/11/2023
- by Hari P N
- KoiMoi
With the Taika Waititi-directed feature-film version of this story coming to cinemas soon, here’s our review of the original 2014 documentary of the same name, Next Goal Wins from directors Mike Brett and Steve Jamison.
In 2001, American Samoa made history by receiving what was then the worst loss in football history during a qualifying match for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. After losing 31-0 to Australia, American Samoa were dubbed the World’s Worst Team and were dogged by defeat ever since. While many would have used such demoralizing news to poke fun at the team, directors Mike Brett and Steve Jamison crafted a documentary to celebrate instead how the team continues to play despite such defeats.
At the time, Football was a relatively new sport to American Samoa which was getting bigger. As such, the team contained no professional footballers and relied on the players to partake for free,...
In 2001, American Samoa made history by receiving what was then the worst loss in football history during a qualifying match for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. After losing 31-0 to Australia, American Samoa were dubbed the World’s Worst Team and were dogged by defeat ever since. While many would have used such demoralizing news to poke fun at the team, directors Mike Brett and Steve Jamison crafted a documentary to celebrate instead how the team continues to play despite such defeats.
At the time, Football was a relatively new sport to American Samoa which was getting bigger. As such, the team contained no professional footballers and relied on the players to partake for free,...
- 12/6/2023
- by James Rodrigues
- Nerdly
Star Wars has been absent from the big screen since the release of The Rise of Skywalker four years ago, but there are plenty of potential movies in development, including one from Taika Waititi, who recently joked that it was “gonna piss people off.“
We don’t know what type of Star Wars movie Taika Waititi will deliver, only that he’s been working hard on getting it exactly right. While speaking on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the director opened up about the project “I’ve been developing [the Star Wars film] for a few years, but I think with any film, but that one in particular, it’s something I’d really like to get right,” Waititi said. “I don’t want to rush it. It’s going to bubble along on the side.” The director added that he wants to “capture the joy and entertainment of those early ones,” referencing Star Wars,...
We don’t know what type of Star Wars movie Taika Waititi will deliver, only that he’s been working hard on getting it exactly right. While speaking on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the director opened up about the project “I’ve been developing [the Star Wars film] for a few years, but I think with any film, but that one in particular, it’s something I’d really like to get right,” Waititi said. “I don’t want to rush it. It’s going to bubble along on the side.” The director added that he wants to “capture the joy and entertainment of those early ones,” referencing Star Wars,...
- 11/27/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
"Next Goal Wins" stumbled out of the gate in its opening weekend at the box office, which is unfortunate news for director Taika Waititi. After last year's disappointing "Thor: Love and Thunder," I was hoping his football/soccer-themed comedy would feel like a return to the types of smaller, more personal movies he made earlier in his career. Sadly, the film is a total misfire. I didn't laugh a single time, and it explores its story of a team overcoming adversity through the myopic lens of its white coach, played by Michael Fassbender. There are a couple of nods to what the game means to the players and the culture of American Samoa, but the film is frustratingly committed to seeing most of the action through the eyes of Fassbender's Thomas Rongen, and basically congratulating him for eventually learning to tolerate the existence of trans people.
The movie is clearly...
The movie is clearly...
- 11/20/2023
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Taika Waititi makes charming flicks. His latest is no exception. Next Goal Wins tells the underdog story of the American Samoa’s soccer team – based on the 2014 documentary with the same name. And yes, it has a ton of heart, great characters, and it kinda (sorta) tells the true tale. At least that’s what the opening of the film tells us. Either way, the Michael Fassbender-led feature also stars an impressive cast including Oscar Knightley, Kaimana Jaiyah, Beulah Koale, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss. This flick has a ton of heart.
Recently, I had the honor of speaking to both Taika Waititi, and one of the inspirations behind the new flick, Jaiyah Saelua. She is included in one of the best storylines in the new film revolves around the relationship between Fassbender’s Thomas Rongen and Kaimana Jaiyah’s take on Saelua. So much so that I wondered...
Recently, I had the honor of speaking to both Taika Waititi, and one of the inspirations behind the new flick, Jaiyah Saelua. She is included in one of the best storylines in the new film revolves around the relationship between Fassbender’s Thomas Rongen and Kaimana Jaiyah’s take on Saelua. So much so that I wondered...
- 11/20/2023
- by JimmyO
- JoBlo.com
Next Goal Wins is a biographical sports comedy-drama film directed by Taika Waititi, who also co-wrote the film with Iain Morris. Based on a novel of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, the film revolves around a Dutch American Football coach Thomas Rongen, who gets a choice to either be fired or convert the American Samoa national team into a great team, which was considered to be one of the weakest team in the world. Next Goal Wins stars Michael Fassbender, Oscar Knightley, Elisabeth Moss, Will Arnett, Rachel House, David Fane, and Kaimana. So, if you love the sports comedy film here are some similar shows you could watch next.
The Mighty Ducks (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Disney
Synopsis: Tough trial lawyer Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) never loses. But when he’s slapped with a community service assignment, he must coach a ragtag team of...
The Mighty Ducks (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Disney
Synopsis: Tough trial lawyer Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) never loses. But when he’s slapped with a community service assignment, he must coach a ragtag team of...
- 11/19/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
David Fane and Michael Fassbender in Next Goal Wins. Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved. Next Goal Wins is a dramatization of the real-life story told in the documentary of the same name, following the World Cup aspirations of the American Samoa soccer team a decade ago. In the new movie, Michael Fassbender plays the team’s coach, Thomas Rongen, who is tasked with bringing the team respectability after a long, long history of losing. Fassbender said that he’d always wanted to work with the film’s Oscar-winning writer and director, Taika Waititi, and that he didn’t feel constrained by the real-life Rongen as he tried to develop the character himself. (Click on the media bar below to hear Michael Fassbender) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Michael_Fassebenfder_Next_Goal_Wins_.mp3 Next Goal Wins is now playing in theaters.
- 11/19/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins” marks the filmmaker’s first non-Marvel directorial outing since his Oscar-winning “Jojo Rabbit” in 2019. And while the multi-hyphenate has stayed busy with TV projects, including “Reservation Dogs” and “Our Flag Means Death,” he’s as surprised as anyone that it took him so long to release another original comedy.
His latest film, which stars Michael Fassbender as a European soccer coach who takes over the famously bad American Samoa national team, wrapped production in January 2020. Waititi was not able to work on the film during the Covid-19 pandemic, which delayed the editing and reshoot process until it finally premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
In a new interview with Insider, Waititi explained that he was ultimately grateful for the delays, as his independent film background has always led him to prefer relaxed timelines.
“I always try to have a lot of time,...
His latest film, which stars Michael Fassbender as a European soccer coach who takes over the famously bad American Samoa national team, wrapped production in January 2020. Waititi was not able to work on the film during the Covid-19 pandemic, which delayed the editing and reshoot process until it finally premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
In a new interview with Insider, Waititi explained that he was ultimately grateful for the delays, as his independent film background has always led him to prefer relaxed timelines.
“I always try to have a lot of time,...
- 11/18/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Michael Fassbender (center) in Next Goal WinsPhoto: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/Searchlight Pictures
The marketing for Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins promotes the film as an underdog sports comedy about an ill-fated South Pacific soccer team, full of the highs and mostly lows of a struggling squad trying to make good.
The marketing for Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins promotes the film as an underdog sports comedy about an ill-fated South Pacific soccer team, full of the highs and mostly lows of a struggling squad trying to make good.
- 11/17/2023
- by Justin Lowe
- avclub.com
Take a look at more footage from "Next Goal Wins", the new live-action sports comedy feature, directed by Taika Waititi ("Thor: Love and Thunder"), based on the 2014 doc by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, starring Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Chris Alosio, Waititi, Will Arnett and Rhys Darby, opening November 17, 2023 in theaters:
"....based on a true story, the film follows the efforts of down-on-his luck coach 'Thomas Rongen' (Fassbender), who is suddenly tasked to lead the 'American Samoa' national football team.
"The team is the lowest-scoring, absolutely worst soccer club in the world. But Rongen tackles the problem head on and gets the team in shape, to qualify as an 'elite squad' for the 2014 'FIFA World Cup'..."
"I'd never made a sports film before, and I really wanted to try that out," said Waititi. "It's about a sport...
"....based on a true story, the film follows the efforts of down-on-his luck coach 'Thomas Rongen' (Fassbender), who is suddenly tasked to lead the 'American Samoa' national football team.
"The team is the lowest-scoring, absolutely worst soccer club in the world. But Rongen tackles the problem head on and gets the team in shape, to qualify as an 'elite squad' for the 2014 'FIFA World Cup'..."
"I'd never made a sports film before, and I really wanted to try that out," said Waititi. "It's about a sport...
- 11/17/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Seeing as how the football season is in full swing, filling up the TV over the next few weekends, how can the multiplex prey those sports fanatics away from the small screens? Easy. put a real-life underdog football story on the big screens. Ah, but there are a couple of twists. Unlike Rudy or Any Given Sunday, this new film actually focuses on what the USA sports fans call soccer, but called football globally. Oh, and it does take place way way across that globe, though it’s still technically part of this country. Plus it’s not the typical inspirational inspired-by-real-events drama, but a rollicking comedy helmed by one of the current kingpins of slapstick farce. This ragtag team of misfits just wants to score one point, perhaps in the hope that the Next Goal Wins.
And just where is the setting for this story? Why, it takes place...
And just where is the setting for this story? Why, it takes place...
- 11/16/2023
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Michael Fassbender is a two-time Academy Award nominee who trained at the Drama Centre London before touring with the Oxford Stage Company; he’s performed Chekov and Shakespeare and worked a veritable who’s who of greatest living directors. Rookie actor Kaimana had never even considered trying to be an actor, noting she avoided school plays “like the plague.” Yet the two form a winning pair in “Next Goal Wins,” the funny, touching, uplifting new film from “Jojo Rabbit” filmmaker Taika Waititi, hitting theaters Nov. 17.
Based on the 2014 documentary of the same name, “Next Goal Wins” finds Fassbender playing Thomas Rongen, a coach whose anger management and alcohol issues finds him shipped off to American Samoa to lead the national football team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. He is set up to fail — the team is widely regarded as a punchline in the sport. But, fortunately, the team...
Based on the 2014 documentary of the same name, “Next Goal Wins” finds Fassbender playing Thomas Rongen, a coach whose anger management and alcohol issues finds him shipped off to American Samoa to lead the national football team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. He is set up to fail — the team is widely regarded as a punchline in the sport. But, fortunately, the team...
- 11/16/2023
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
Coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) is assigned to rehabilitate the world’s worst soccer team in Next Goal Wins, Taika Waititi’s comedic interpretation of the true story of American Samoa’s journey from last place losers to global inspiration. After suffering a record-breaking 31-0 loss to Australia in the 2002 World Cup Qualifiers, American Samoa’s national soccer team is scrambling to reassert itself on the international stage. As an American territory, their team is supported by the US’s soccer association, who assigns former pro and journeyman coach Thomas Rongen the unenviable task of bringing respectability to a squad that no one takes seriously, including Rongen himself. Admittedly far from top-tier contenders, American Samoa’s soccer commission head Tavita (Oscar Kightley) has a simple, reasonable request: score one goal....
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 11/16/2023
- Screen Anarchy
One can’t say that writer-director Taika Waititi doesn’t do an efficient job at telling us just what kind of experience Next Goal Wins is going to be right from the outset. After all the studio logos, the very first image we see is of Taika himself, playing an American Samoan priest, explains to the audience the tale of the most embarrassing defeat ever to occur on a soccer pitch: a match from April 11, 2001 when Australia beat American Samoa 31-0.
The footage of that match starts both Waititi’s film and the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison that it’s based on. And it’s a perfect way to kick-start a movie about a bunch of loveable losers struggling for the meager goal of scoring a single point in literally any game. The cherry on top of it all is the darkly hilarious...
The footage of that match starts both Waititi’s film and the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison that it’s based on. And it’s a perfect way to kick-start a movie about a bunch of loveable losers struggling for the meager goal of scoring a single point in literally any game. The cherry on top of it all is the darkly hilarious...
- 11/15/2023
- by Justin Clark
- Slant Magazine
Plot: A down-and-out football coach (Michael Fassbender) is sent to American Samoa to coach their infamously awful team.
Review: Inspirational soccer (football) stories are having a moment, with Next Goal Wins another underdog story comparable to Ted Lasso. While not as deep as that occasionally profound show, Taika Waititi‘s long-delayed film should put a smile on the face of anyone who likes a good underdog story a la Cool Runnings. The film is based on a documentary of the same name. It proves to be a natural fit for Waititi’s sensibilities, with him seeming more at home here with a film closer to What We Do in the Shadows or Hunt for the Wilderpeople than any of the Thor films he made or even Jojo Rabbit.
Waititi himself only plays a small on-screen role, with his local priest acting as a quasi-narrator for what would come off as a perhaps cliched inspiration fable,...
Review: Inspirational soccer (football) stories are having a moment, with Next Goal Wins another underdog story comparable to Ted Lasso. While not as deep as that occasionally profound show, Taika Waititi‘s long-delayed film should put a smile on the face of anyone who likes a good underdog story a la Cool Runnings. The film is based on a documentary of the same name. It proves to be a natural fit for Waititi’s sensibilities, with him seeming more at home here with a film closer to What We Do in the Shadows or Hunt for the Wilderpeople than any of the Thor films he made or even Jojo Rabbit.
Waititi himself only plays a small on-screen role, with his local priest acting as a quasi-narrator for what would come off as a perhaps cliched inspiration fable,...
- 11/15/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
After the 2022 Thor: Love and Thunder, Taika Waititi returns with the 2023 sports comedy Next Goal Wins. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 10, 2023, to mixed or average reviews. It’s now scheduled for a theatrical release on November 17, 2023. Next Goal Wins is a biographical sports comedy-drama based on true events about Dutch-American coach Thomas Rongen‘s attempts to qualify one of the world’s worst soccer teams, the American Samoa national football team, to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Taika Waititi is all out in all of his glory, and...
- 11/15/2023
- by Onyinye Izundu
- TVovermind.com
Taika Waititi won't be involved in 'Thor 5'.The 48-year-old filmmaker - who directed 'Thor: Ragnarok' and 'Thor: Love and Thunder', while also co-writing the latter - has confirmed he isn't returning for a potential next instalment in the Marvel franchise as he looks to focus on other projects.Asked about reports a fifth film is being developed, Waititi - who helmed the last two movies in the series - told Business Insider: "I wouldn't know if that's accurate. I know that I won't be involved."Instead, he explained he will focus on other projects he's already got in the pipeline.He added: "I'm going to concentrate on these other films that I've signed on for."As well as a movie adaptation of Alejandro Jodorowsky's graphic novel 'The Incal', his own 'Star Wars' movie is "still marinating" as he continues to develop the project.
- 11/15/2023
- by Alistair McGeorge
- Bang Showbiz
Taika Waititi is stepping out for the premiere of his new movie!
The 48-year-old actor, director, and writer got support from wife Rita Ora at the premiere of Next Goal Wins on Tuesday (November 14) held at the AMC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles.
Fellow cast members in attendance included Michael Fassbender, Kaimana, Will Arnett, and Rhys Darby.
Keep reading to find out more…
Next Goal Wins follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001, and their unorthodox coach.
With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
Next Goal Wins hits theaters on Nov. 17 – watch the trailer!
Click through the gallery for 15+ pictures of the stars at the premiere…...
The 48-year-old actor, director, and writer got support from wife Rita Ora at the premiere of Next Goal Wins on Tuesday (November 14) held at the AMC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles.
Fellow cast members in attendance included Michael Fassbender, Kaimana, Will Arnett, and Rhys Darby.
Keep reading to find out more…
Next Goal Wins follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001, and their unorthodox coach.
With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
Next Goal Wins hits theaters on Nov. 17 – watch the trailer!
Click through the gallery for 15+ pictures of the stars at the premiere…...
- 11/15/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Taika Waititi is weighing in on superhero fatigue at the box office, admitting that even he himself needs a break from that big-budget world.
Following Marvel’s recent string of misses with their last few films, there have been questions about if audiences have grown tired of superhero content; when asked about the trend at the Los Angeles premiere of his new movie Next Goal Wins on Tuesday, Waititi told The Hollywood Reporter, “I don’t know. I’m a bit fatigued by working on those big films, studio films, which is why I’ve come back to do smaller films like this; my next film will be a smaller one.”
The Thor director noted, however, that “there’s always a place for them and they’re always inspirational. As a little kid, those are the things I loved, going to see these big movies set in outer space to...
Following Marvel’s recent string of misses with their last few films, there have been questions about if audiences have grown tired of superhero content; when asked about the trend at the Los Angeles premiere of his new movie Next Goal Wins on Tuesday, Waititi told The Hollywood Reporter, “I don’t know. I’m a bit fatigued by working on those big films, studio films, which is why I’ve come back to do smaller films like this; my next film will be a smaller one.”
The Thor director noted, however, that “there’s always a place for them and they’re always inspirational. As a little kid, those are the things I loved, going to see these big movies set in outer space to...
- 11/15/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
Ahead of the theatrical debut of Taika Waititi “Next Goal Wins” this weekend, Searchlight Pictures and the lifestyle brand Accompany have released a limited-edition, artisan capsule collection for soccer players, consisting of a handmade soccer ball and athletic socks.
Waititi stars in a campaign for the new collection, called the Fa’atasi Capsule, in which he sits in an all-white ensemble on a crisp soccer field. “As a filmmaker, there’s nothing I love more than telling stories that represent different cultures,” he says in the campaign video. “For example, my latest film ‘Next Goal Wins’ takes place in the American Samoa. Where is that, you ask? It’s in the Pacific. Google it.”
“It’s the true story of the International Football team but it’s about way more than just soccer,...
Ahead of the theatrical debut of Taika Waititi “Next Goal Wins” this weekend, Searchlight Pictures and the lifestyle brand Accompany have released a limited-edition, artisan capsule collection for soccer players, consisting of a handmade soccer ball and athletic socks.
Waititi stars in a campaign for the new collection, called the Fa’atasi Capsule, in which he sits in an all-white ensemble on a crisp soccer field. “As a filmmaker, there’s nothing I love more than telling stories that represent different cultures,” he says in the campaign video. “For example, my latest film ‘Next Goal Wins’ takes place in the American Samoa. Where is that, you ask? It’s in the Pacific. Google it.”
“It’s the true story of the International Football team but it’s about way more than just soccer,...
- 11/14/2023
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety Film + TV
31-0 — that was the final score of the World Cup qualifying match in 2001 that made the American Samoa soccer team legends in the world of international soccer. Not legends in a good way, mind you; they were the ones on the receiving end of that epic lambasting. Think about how crushing that must have felt, to see your hopes of glory on the pitch and your sense of national pride transformed into public humiliation. There’s a happy ending to this story, however: The official Football Federation of the tiny...
- 11/14/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Taika Waititi is "still developing" his 'Star Wars' movie but he's in no rush.The 48-year-old actor and filmmaker has been linked to an upcoming blockbuster in the long running space saga since 2020, and despite things going quiet he has given a promising update on the project.He told Entertainment Tonight: "At the moment, I'm still developing something with them."Like me, they have a lot of projects going on. I think they're gonna push it until I finish these other projects."I've got about four other scripts that I'm trying to finish. My thing is I want to take my time with that and get it right. I don't want to rush this movie."One such project is new sports comedy 'Next Goal Wins', which is based on the 2014 documentary of the same name.It follows Thomas Rongen as he leads the American Samoa national team - regarded...
- 11/14/2023
- by Alistair McGeorge
- Bang Showbiz
Taika Waititi never thought he’d make a sports film.The 48-year-old filmmaker’s latest project, ‘Next Goal Wins’ tells the story of Michael Fassbender as Dutch-American coach Thomas Rongen as he looks to improve the results of the American Samoa national football team – ranked as one of the weakest teams on the planet – and he admitted he didn’t do a lot of research about soccer.Discussing how he never thought he’d make a sports movie, he told Empire magazine: “Especially not about a sport that I’m not passionate about.“I love watching the games, I just don’t follow any teams, I don’t care about who’s playing.“My main thing was to represent the players and the people of the Pacific Islands more.“Which is my roundabout way of explaining why I didn’t do research.”Because of the poor form of the American Samoan team,...
- 10/15/2023
- by Viki Waters
- Bang Showbiz
‘Next Goal Wins‘ is a biographical sports comedy-drama directed by Taika Waititi, and starring stars Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, among others. The film was inspired on a 2014 documentary, and it is scheduled for release in theaters on November 17th.
Premise
The American Samoa soccer team, renowned for their abysmal performance in a 2001 FIFA match where they suffered a crushing defeat with a score of 31-0. Thomas Rongen is tasked with leading the team to an elite squad.
The post ‘Next Goal Wins’ (2023) | The Upcoming Sports Dramedy Directed by Taika Waititi | Movie Trailer appeared first on Martin Cid Magazine.
Premise
The American Samoa soccer team, renowned for their abysmal performance in a 2001 FIFA match where they suffered a crushing defeat with a score of 31-0. Thomas Rongen is tasked with leading the team to an elite squad.
The post ‘Next Goal Wins’ (2023) | The Upcoming Sports Dramedy Directed by Taika Waititi | Movie Trailer appeared first on Martin Cid Magazine.
- 10/5/2023
- by Movies Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
The second official trailer for director Taika Waititi’s new film Next Goal Wins has just been released, and you can check it out above!
Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi, Next Goal Wins follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
Kaimana in “Next Goal Wins.” Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle.
About The Film
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sport Cast: Michael Fassbender, Oscar Knightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, Lehi Falepapalangi, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss Director: Taika Waititi Screenplay: Iain Morris, Taika Waititi Producer: Garrett Basch, Mike Brett, Jonathan Cavendish, Steve Jamison, Taika Waititi
Next Goal Wins is only in theaters on November 17, 2023!
For More Information,...
Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi, Next Goal Wins follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
Kaimana in “Next Goal Wins.” Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle.
About The Film
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sport Cast: Michael Fassbender, Oscar Knightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, Lehi Falepapalangi, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss Director: Taika Waititi Screenplay: Iain Morris, Taika Waititi Producer: Garrett Basch, Mike Brett, Jonathan Cavendish, Steve Jamison, Taika Waititi
Next Goal Wins is only in theaters on November 17, 2023!
For More Information,...
- 9/27/2023
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
Taika Waititi, the filmmaker who won an adapted screenplay Oscar for “Jojo Rabbit” in 2020, has dropped a new trailer for his forthcoming sports-themed feature comedy “Next Goal Wins,” a mini-featurette that plays to the tune of Abba’s “Take A Chance On Me” and teases the film’s charming humor. The film opens in theaters on November 17, capping a lengthy delay for the project that wrapped production nearly four years ago. Watch the trailer above.
The Searchlight Pictures film, which Waititi co-wrote (with Iain Morris) as well as directed, is based on the 2014 documentary “Next Goal Wins” and tells the inspirational true story of the American Samoa soccer team, a squad “infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup qualifiers approaching, the team hires the down-on-his-luck maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around.”
Besides Fassbender, the film features Oscar Kightley,...
The Searchlight Pictures film, which Waititi co-wrote (with Iain Morris) as well as directed, is based on the 2014 documentary “Next Goal Wins” and tells the inspirational true story of the American Samoa soccer team, a squad “infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup qualifiers approaching, the team hires the down-on-his-luck maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around.”
Besides Fassbender, the film features Oscar Kightley,...
- 9/27/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
Taika Waititi is a busy, busy man. Just in the last couple of years he’s knocked out :a[Thor: Love And Thunder]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/thor-love-and-thunder/' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'}, overseen TV hits :a[like Reservation Dogs]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/taika-waititi-native-american-tv-comedy/' target='blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'} and the very lovely :a[Our Flag Means Death]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/tv/news/it-a-pirate-life-for-rhys-darby-and-taika-waititi-in-the-teaser-for-our-flag-means-death/' target='blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'} – as well as being connected to all kinds of other projects, from the long-gestating live-action Akira, to his Flash Gordon, a TV version of Time Bandits, a Star Wars project, and loads of bits and pieces besides. So it’s no wonder the central message of his latest film – the long-awaited :a[Next Goal Wins]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/first-trailer-for-taika-waititis-next-goal-wins/' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'}, which actually...
- 9/27/2023
- by Tom Nicholson
- Empire - Movies
Take a look at more footage from "Next Goal Wins", the new live-action sports comedy feature, directed by Taika Waititi ("Thor: Love and Thunder"), based on the 2014 doc by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, starring Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Chris Alosio, Waititi, Will Arnett and Rhys Darby, opening November 17, 2023 in theaters:
"....based on a true story, the film follows the efforts of down-on-his luck coach 'Thomas Rongen' (Fassbender), who is suddenly tasked to lead the 'American Samoa' national football team.
"The team is the lowest-scoring, absolutely worst soccer club in the world. But Rongen tackles the problem head on and gets the team in shape, to qualify as an 'elite squad' for the 2014 'FIFA World Cup'..."
"I'd never made a sports film before, and I really wanted to try that out," said Waititi. "It's about a sport...
"....based on a true story, the film follows the efforts of down-on-his luck coach 'Thomas Rongen' (Fassbender), who is suddenly tasked to lead the 'American Samoa' national football team.
"The team is the lowest-scoring, absolutely worst soccer club in the world. But Rongen tackles the problem head on and gets the team in shape, to qualify as an 'elite squad' for the 2014 'FIFA World Cup'..."
"I'd never made a sports film before, and I really wanted to try that out," said Waititi. "It's about a sport...
- 9/26/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
In trailer two for Searchlight Pictures’ Next Goal Wins, writer/director Taika Waititi jokes that he went into the comedy knowing nothing about soccer…and came out knowing even less. The new trailer also finds Waititi explaining that he was attracted to the sports film based on real events because it’s a story about triumphing over adversity.
The underdog comedy stars Michael Fassbender as soccer coach Thomas Rongen. Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, Lehi Falepapalangi, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss also star in the PG-13 comedy.
Taika Waititi and Iain Morris wrote the screenplay, with Waititi, Jonathan Cavendish, Garrett Basch, Mike Brett, and Steve Jamison producing.
Next Goal Wins opens in theaters on November 17, 2023.
Michael Fassbender in ‘Next Goal Wins’ (Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures © 2022 20th Century Studios)
The Plot, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures:
Next Goal Wins...
The underdog comedy stars Michael Fassbender as soccer coach Thomas Rongen. Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, Lehi Falepapalangi, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss also star in the PG-13 comedy.
Taika Waititi and Iain Morris wrote the screenplay, with Waititi, Jonathan Cavendish, Garrett Basch, Mike Brett, and Steve Jamison producing.
Next Goal Wins opens in theaters on November 17, 2023.
Michael Fassbender in ‘Next Goal Wins’ (Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures © 2022 20th Century Studios)
The Plot, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures:
Next Goal Wins...
- 9/26/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
"It's a story about triumph over adversity." Searchlight Pictures has unveiled the second trailer for Next Goal Wins, which is still set to arrive in theaters this November. The first trailer arrived right before the summer, and the film recently premiered at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival a few weeks ago. This fun new Taika Waititi comedy is about the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team (aka football team ⚽), known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0, which really happened. Dutch-American football coach Thomas Rongen is tasked with turning this American Samoa national team, considered one of the worst football teams in the world, into an elite squad. Michael Fassbender stars as Rongen, with an ensemble cast including Oscar Kightley, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Chris Alosio, Taika Waititi, Will Arnett, & Rhys Darby. The 60-second trailer includes behind-the-scenes footage with Taika talking about making this movie,...
- 9/26/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
In 2001, the national soccer team of American Samoa played a qualifying match against Australia for the FIFA World Cup. American Samoa did not qualify, but the team did set a world record for the worst loss in an international soccer match when the game ended with a score of 31-0.
A decade later, Dutch-American soccer coach Thomas Rongen was assigned the job of bringing American Samoa's team up to the skill level needed to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This daunting task was chronicled in the 2014 documentary "Next Goal Wins," and now director Taika Waititi has brought a dramatized version of the story to the screen in a new movie with the same title. Michael Fassbender stars as Rongen, while Waititi himself appears in a minor role as a priest on the island and also the film's narrator. The cast also includes Will Arnett, who stepped in for reshoots...
A decade later, Dutch-American soccer coach Thomas Rongen was assigned the job of bringing American Samoa's team up to the skill level needed to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This daunting task was chronicled in the 2014 documentary "Next Goal Wins," and now director Taika Waititi has brought a dramatized version of the story to the screen in a new movie with the same title. Michael Fassbender stars as Rongen, while Waititi himself appears in a minor role as a priest on the island and also the film's narrator. The cast also includes Will Arnett, who stepped in for reshoots...
- 9/25/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
Searchlight Pictures has released a new trailer for Next Goal Wins, the upcoming sports comedy directed by Taika Waititi.
Based on the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, Next Goal Wins follows the “infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0. With the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this humorous and heartfelt underdog story.“
Michael Fassbender stars in Next Goal Wins as coach Thomas Rongen, with Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss rounding out the rest of the cast. In addition to directing, Taika Waititi also co-wrote the script with Ian Morris and made a cameo appearance as a priest.
Related Next Goal Wins (TIFF...
Based on the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, Next Goal Wins follows the “infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0. With the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this humorous and heartfelt underdog story.“
Michael Fassbender stars in Next Goal Wins as coach Thomas Rongen, with Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss rounding out the rest of the cast. In addition to directing, Taika Waititi also co-wrote the script with Ian Morris and made a cameo appearance as a priest.
Related Next Goal Wins (TIFF...
- 9/25/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
You’ll recall in 2014, there was the ridiculously entertaining documentary “Next Goal Wins.” Directed by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, the doc follows Thomas Rongen, a Dutch soccer coach hired to lead the national team for American Samoa. This famously pitiful outfit spent nearly two decades at the bottom of FIFA’s international rankings. So that true story has been brought to life by Taika Waitii (“Thor: Ragnarok”) in a very similar but more humorously imagined comedy called, you guessed it, “Next Goal Wins.”
Read More: ‘Next Goal Wins’ Review: Taika Waititi Scores With An Underdog Soccer Comedy [TIFF]
Starring Michael Fassbender as the constantly-peeved but ultimately caring Dutch coach, “Next Goal Wins” tells the same story of triumph over adversity in a feel-good underdog narrative.
Continue reading ‘Next Goal Wins’ Trailer: Taika Waititi’s Soccer Comedy With Michael Fassbender Is A Feel-Good Underdog Story at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘Next Goal Wins’ Review: Taika Waititi Scores With An Underdog Soccer Comedy [TIFF]
Starring Michael Fassbender as the constantly-peeved but ultimately caring Dutch coach, “Next Goal Wins” tells the same story of triumph over adversity in a feel-good underdog narrative.
Continue reading ‘Next Goal Wins’ Trailer: Taika Waititi’s Soccer Comedy With Michael Fassbender Is A Feel-Good Underdog Story at The Playlist.
- 9/25/2023
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
American Samoa is a U.S. territory in the South Pacific. With a population of just 45,000, it's a quiet nation, but it's got a national soccer team. Only problem? They're terrible. In 2001, they weren't just terrible -- they were quite literally the worst in the world. It was that year they would play a match that would go down in history: a 31-0 defeat to Australia, which is still the worst loss ever recorded in an international match.
"Next Goal Wins," directed by Taika Waititi, takes place 10 years later in 2011. With the American Samoa team facing World Cup qualifiers, they have a fairly modest objective in mind -- score a goal. Just one. To achieve this, they hire Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) an experienced but disgraced American coach to try and give them the boost they need, out of the bottom of the rankings and into ... well, anywhere but rock...
"Next Goal Wins," directed by Taika Waititi, takes place 10 years later in 2011. With the American Samoa team facing World Cup qualifiers, they have a fairly modest objective in mind -- score a goal. Just one. To achieve this, they hire Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) an experienced but disgraced American coach to try and give them the boost they need, out of the bottom of the rankings and into ... well, anywhere but rock...
- 9/15/2023
- by Barry Levitt
- Slash Film
A miscast Michael Fassbender plays a coach trying to save a team of underdogs in a lacklustre fact-based string-puller
Premiering in the same Toronto film festival cinema and time slot as Jojo Rabbit four years prior, Taika Waititi is hoping to conjure a similarly magic reaction for his latest, long-delayed football comedy Next Goal Wins. His second world war satire was that year’s audience award winner before it became the next year’s best adapted screenplay Oscar winner, a result that elevated him to a new level of Hollywood royalty, however deserved that may have been.
But while Sunday’s premiere saw roars of laughter and cheers of approval from an easily manipulated audience, it’s doubtful that his latest will be able to emulate even a fraction of that success. The film is a shoddily made and strikingly unfunny attempt to tell an interesting story in an uninteresting way.
Premiering in the same Toronto film festival cinema and time slot as Jojo Rabbit four years prior, Taika Waititi is hoping to conjure a similarly magic reaction for his latest, long-delayed football comedy Next Goal Wins. His second world war satire was that year’s audience award winner before it became the next year’s best adapted screenplay Oscar winner, a result that elevated him to a new level of Hollywood royalty, however deserved that may have been.
But while Sunday’s premiere saw roars of laughter and cheers of approval from an easily manipulated audience, it’s doubtful that his latest will be able to emulate even a fraction of that success. The film is a shoddily made and strikingly unfunny attempt to tell an interesting story in an uninteresting way.
- 9/11/2023
- by Benjamin Lee in Toronto
- The Guardian - Film News
Taika Waititi had two goals when approaching Next Goal Wins: one was to make sure people who looked like him found their way onto mainstream screens; two was making sure they were depicted taking the piss out of each other. He joked, after the world premiere, that Pacific Islanders are always shown playing majestic music and looking regal when reality was an infinite wealth of good-natured ribbing. And who better to embody that lack of self-satisfied pretension than arguably the worst soccer team to ever hit an international pitch: the American Samoa national football team, which lost to Australia 31 to nil in 2001.
As the island’s priest (Waititi) explains during his opening narration, the squad might have played even worse in the decade-plus that goes by once the film hits 2014. It’s here that Football Federation American Samoa president Tavita (Oscar Kightley) decides something needs to change. With World Cup...
As the island’s priest (Waititi) explains during his opening narration, the squad might have played even worse in the decade-plus that goes by once the film hits 2014. It’s here that Football Federation American Samoa president Tavita (Oscar Kightley) decides something needs to change. With World Cup...
- 9/11/2023
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Editor’s note: This review was originally published at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. Searchlight Pitctures releases the film in theaters on Friday, November 17.
The first person you see on screen in Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins” is Taika Waititi. The director himself shows up wearing a long mustache and priestly garb as the quasi narrator of his own movie. He’s doing a funny voice, and explaining the themes of what we are about to watch. This intro highlights perhaps the main issue with this occasionally funny but frequently messy sports movie: The dominant voice is Waititi’s, to the extent that we can’t hear any of the other characters. “Next Goal Wins” is a movie that gets too wrapped up in its own quirk to develop any compelling arcs.
Waititi adapts the film from the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison...
The first person you see on screen in Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins” is Taika Waititi. The director himself shows up wearing a long mustache and priestly garb as the quasi narrator of his own movie. He’s doing a funny voice, and explaining the themes of what we are about to watch. This intro highlights perhaps the main issue with this occasionally funny but frequently messy sports movie: The dominant voice is Waititi’s, to the extent that we can’t hear any of the other characters. “Next Goal Wins” is a movie that gets too wrapped up in its own quirk to develop any compelling arcs.
Waititi adapts the film from the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison...
- 9/11/2023
- by Esther Zuckerman
- Indiewire
Michael Fassbender has reaped two Oscar bids to date and could well find that third time is the charm this year. He delivers two vastly different performances in Taika Waititi‘s comedy “Next Goal Wins” and David Fincher‘s thriller “The Killer.”
The first film, which debuted at TIFF on September 10 to a warm reception, tells the true story of soccer coach Thomas Rongen, who took charge of the American Samoa squad who coming off an infamous World Cup loss to Australia with a score of 31-0. Fassbender portrays Rongen and the movie marks a return by Waititi to his roots in comedy. Fassbender could well reap a bid at the Golden Globes, where’s he contended three times on the drama side for his leading roles in “Shame” (2012) and “Steve Jobs” (2016) and his featured part in “12 Years a Slave” (2014).
The Irish actor also headlines David Fincher‘s “The Killer.
The first film, which debuted at TIFF on September 10 to a warm reception, tells the true story of soccer coach Thomas Rongen, who took charge of the American Samoa squad who coming off an infamous World Cup loss to Australia with a score of 31-0. Fassbender portrays Rongen and the movie marks a return by Waititi to his roots in comedy. Fassbender could well reap a bid at the Golden Globes, where’s he contended three times on the drama side for his leading roles in “Shame” (2012) and “Steve Jobs” (2016) and his featured part in “12 Years a Slave” (2014).
The Irish actor also headlines David Fincher‘s “The Killer.
- 9/11/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Filmmaker Taika Waititi’s new film ‘Next Goal Wins’ is based on the true story of the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. Their story was immortalised in the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison.
Waititi has admitted that he took some creative liberties in adapting the story for the screen, reports Variety. “I had to twist the truth,” he told the audience before the world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. “Otherwise, watch the documentary.”
‘Next Goal Wins’ picks up with the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, as the team hires down-on-his-luck coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) in the hopes he will turn around their bleak track record.
Waititi, who was last at the festival with 2019’s Oscar-winner ‘Jojo Rabbit’, said that the film is about finding your family. “Sometimes it doesn’t need to be related by blood,...
Waititi has admitted that he took some creative liberties in adapting the story for the screen, reports Variety. “I had to twist the truth,” he told the audience before the world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. “Otherwise, watch the documentary.”
‘Next Goal Wins’ picks up with the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, as the team hires down-on-his-luck coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) in the hopes he will turn around their bleak track record.
Waititi, who was last at the festival with 2019’s Oscar-winner ‘Jojo Rabbit’, said that the film is about finding your family. “Sometimes it doesn’t need to be related by blood,...
- 9/11/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Taika Waititi’s quirky sense of humor isn’t for everyone. The New Zealand filmmaker repeatedly punched the podium microphone during his introduction of “Next Goal Wins” at its Toronto International Film Festival world premiere at the Princess of Wales Theatre on Sunday while TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey stood by gamely smiling at the antics of his guest. Waititi, after all, had won the 2019 TIFF audience award for his last film, “Jojo Rabbit,” which had premiered in the same room and had raised eyebrows with its Nazi satire.
That said, “Next Goal Wins” is his best and most crowd-pleasing effort to date. It’s the true tale of American Samoa’s abysmal soccer team gearing up for the 2011 World Cup qualifier under the coaching of Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), who had just been fired by the U.S. national team. The story spawned a 2014 documentary of the same title by Steve Jamison and Mike Brett.
That said, “Next Goal Wins” is his best and most crowd-pleasing effort to date. It’s the true tale of American Samoa’s abysmal soccer team gearing up for the 2011 World Cup qualifier under the coaching of Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), who had just been fired by the U.S. national team. The story spawned a 2014 documentary of the same title by Steve Jamison and Mike Brett.
- 9/11/2023
- by Martin Tsai
- The Wrap
Before the world premiere of his latest film, Next Goal Wins, Taika Waititi offered a few introductory words and a characteristically dopey bit. He thanked his team, and then punched the microphone at the Princess of Wales Theatre because he was fired up about imperialism. The microphone broke. The crowd laughed. Before leaving the stage, Waititi tried to express a sincere thought about the importance of seeing oneself onscreen.
The sentiment about representation didn’t land. Far more affecting was when the director invited an elder onstage to bless the film and welcome the crowd. The woman, flanked by members of her family, delivered a heartfelt speech and expressed genuine excitement about Next Goal Wins and Waititi’s achievements. She walked offstage, the lights dimmed and the movie started.
This moment, ironically, captures the problems with Next Goal Wins. The film works best when Waititi gets out of his own...
The sentiment about representation didn’t land. Far more affecting was when the director invited an elder onstage to bless the film and welcome the crowd. The woman, flanked by members of her family, delivered a heartfelt speech and expressed genuine excitement about Next Goal Wins and Waititi’s achievements. She walked offstage, the lights dimmed and the movie started.
This moment, ironically, captures the problems with Next Goal Wins. The film works best when Waititi gets out of his own...
- 9/11/2023
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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